
Class. 



ftnok 

Copyright N ° . . 



COFUUGHT DEPOSIT. 



CO-O-ZA 



CO-O-ZA 



BY 



THEODORE STEARNS 




THE CORNHILL PUBLISHING COMPANY 
BOSTON NEW YORK 



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Copyright 1922 
By THE GORNHILL PUBLISHING COMPANY 



All rights reserved 



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Printed in the United States of America 



THE JORDAN & MORE PRESS 
BOSTON 



©CI.A677006 

! 






IN MEMORY OF 
MY MOTHER 



FOREWORD 

According to occult history, the Deluge was but 
the ebb-tide of the sinking of Atlantis. 

This lost continent extended from Egypt to 
Wyoming, including the Atlantic Ocean, which, in 
that day, then was land. 

The Saharan Desert and African jungles were 
then a rolling sea, and south of where today Cape 
Town now stands, land began again. 

The civilization of Atlantis was far beyond the 
richest culture of any modern time. By harnessing 
the currents of the earth the Atlantians obtained 
their heat and power; by overcoming gravity they 
found transportation in the air. With mental telep- 
athy in use a telegram was out of date. 

Courageous, beautiful and strong, both men and 
women were intensely human. They loved their 
pageants and their games and scorned a costume 
that would stilt their vigor or deny them grace. 

They used the seven colors, but blended them with 
opal, onyx, madder, rose and jade. 

Their fine arts were so far advanced they turned, 
for welcome contrast, to the primitive and rude. 

Spiritually, Atlantis had a priesthood and a faith, 
but they delved into the occult and this knowledge 
brought abuse. Their morals then corrupted and 
decayed. 



FOREWORD 

To India and Babylon, Atlantis left dim relics of 
her architectural wealth. 

From her, Phoenicia learned to mart and trade. 

To Greece she gave her sculpture and the whole 
tone scale. 

On Rome she let the mantle of her logic fall. 

But where she left these legacies those countries, 
like herself, dared to be too arrogant, and miserably 
fell. 



CHARACTERS 

IN THE PROLOGUE : 

The Man, as a musical director . . Tenor 
The Girl, as a little cleaning girl . Soprano 
Po, as a Hidden Helper .... Basso 
Chorus Girls, departing from a rehearsal 
A Stage Door Man 

IN ACT ONE: 

The Man, as Co-o-za, last king of Atlantis 
The Girl, as Badu-lee-ae, captive Queen of Zend 
Po, as Co-o-za's High Priest 
Lo-al-yah, Co-o-za's mistress . Contralto 
Q Darra, a Noble of Atlantis and brother to 

Lo-al-yah Tenor 

Soldiers, Slaves, Nobles, Priests, Women, 
People and Dancing Girls 



CHARACTERS 



•As in Act One 



IN ACT TWO 

The Man - 
The Girl 
Po 

Q Darra 

Fhef Ilki, a craven priest 

First Noble 

Second Noble 

Two Other Nobles 



Followers of 
Q Darra 



Low Baritone 

Baritone 

Baritone 

Tenors 

First Sentinel Low Baritone 

Second Sentinel Tenor 

Three Priests .... High Baritones 
The Red Mammoth 

A Voice Tenor 

Chorus of Astrals, Soldiers and People 



IN THE EPILOGUE 
Po 



The Girl 
The Man 



• As in the Prologue 



CO-O-ZA 



GO-O-ZA 



PROLOGUE 

(The scene is on the stage of a Broadway musical 
comedy theatre, looking from the back wall into the 
deserted, seat-shrouded auditorium. Chorus girls, in 
practice clothes, are departing. A rehearsal is just 
over. In the empty theatre, up stage, The Little 
Cleaning Girl is standing against the orchestra rail 
and, as the chorus girls pass out of sight they look 
down at her with sophisticated smiles. The Man is 
climbing over a "run" onto the stage as the curt am 
ascends. He approaches a piano, set in the right, 
second entrance. A Stage Door Man reaches with a 
stage brace into the half -discernible switchboard 
(right, last entrance) and pulls the orchestra and bor- 
der lights. Then he picks up a pilot lamp and looks 
inquiringly at The Man.) 

THE MAN 

Place it there. 

(The Stage Door Man places the lamp near the 
piano and exits. The Man looks at The Little Clean- 
ing Girl with a smile.) 

Now we are alone. You sing well, little girl, and 
you can dance like a fawn — light as sunbeams on 
your two, pretty feet. Are you afraid? 



4 CO-O-ZA 

THE GIRL 

No — no — I just was thinking. Are you sure we 
are alone? 

THE MAN 

No one is here — come, we are alone; just one light 
to twinkle and smile and give you courage — and show 
how easy it is to love. (He assists her over the "run" 
and continues, playfully.) I did not know that clean- 
ing women were so young. Tell me, how came you 
here to dust and sweep? 

THE GIRL 

My grandmother was here for \'ears, and did her 
best to bring me up. I've always loved to dance and 
sing — so when she died, I took her place — just to be 
near to you. 

THE MAN 

You have no home? Come, live with me, and eat 
and drink — and love. I'll buy you pretty frocks — 
a bracelet, too. See! the pretty wrist! (He bends 
towards her. She draws back slightly.) 

THE GIRL 

(Startled) Does that mean love? (Half fear- 
fully) Does that mean love? 

THE MAN 

Well, must you have a priest and book to make 
you love? 



CO-O-ZA 5 

THE GIRL 

No! No! I am content with you; 'tis as you say 
— and yet — (dreamily) it seems as if you said those 
words to me before. (She looks off stage, left, and 
arouses herself with an effort.) Is something shin- 
ing — there? 

(Po is discovered standing in the left, second 
entrance. The Man and The Girl do not see him. Po 
is regarding the two earnestly. His figure is com- 
manding but not tall. His attitude is one of dignified 
grace, great intentness and reposeful virility. His 
smooth face, aesthetically grave, is lit by brilliant, 
deep-set, dark eyes. Over his erect form is thrown a 
robe of purple, edged with black. On the left sleeve 
is embroidered an olive branch. But for his mane of 
white hair he woidd seem to be a man of 4 ; ~>- The 
Man looks at him, carelessly, unseeingly, then smiles 
at The Girl.) 

THE MAX 

Silly child! Why, we first met just thirteen days 
ago. Your eyes are tired — come, there is nobody 
there. Love me, dear. Give me your lips — and kiss 
me. Kiss me! (Passionately) Kiss me! 

(The Man is sitting at the piano, The Girl kneel- 
ing at his feet. He reaches his hand to draw her. 
slowly — half-unresistingly to him.) 

PO 

I know thee now, Co-o-za ! Mad king, I've found 
the secret of the spheres. You see me not, but I can 
see your soul! (The Girl looks adoringly into the 



6 CO-O-ZA 

face of The Man. She slips, momentarily, still closer 
at his feet.) Roll back the scroll, Akashic Records 
of the Past ! Give me this man's lost thought that I 
may lead him to recall the wrong — (The Man bends 
over The Girl and draws her tenderly into his em- 
brace.) he did to this same love, twelve thousand 
years ago ! ( As Po finishes, and as The Man and The 
Girl are about to kiss, the stage goes instantly black 
and an immense volume of chorale is heard, triumph- 
ant, virile, clear.) 

A HIDDEN CHORUS 

(With great grandeur.) 

Hail, Co-o-za ! 

Hail, Co-o-za ! 

Hail! Hail! 

Hail! 
(The lights flash, full up, and the scene has 
changed to — ) 

(End of Prologue) 



CO-O-ZA 



ACT ONE 



(A landing quay before the palace of Co-o-za, last 
king of Atlantis, ten thousand years, B. C. The 
entire scene is formed from a magnificent, lofty 
grotto, hewn out of a solid mountain of iridescent 
marble. Polished pillars — columns — palace and 
gardened balconies — give a striking impression of 
savage splendor — of brilliant, Titanic strength — 
knit, however, with masterly architectural cunning, 
into a sense of sunlit, sophisticated ease. Here 
and there the rugged outlines of the virgin rock 
are left intact, at base or cornice, with insolent, 
artistic assurance. The ceiling of the mighty hall 
flings upward in a convoluted, mosque-made dome, 
pierced by sunshot casements through which — deep- 
clustered — hang wisteria and grape. A terrace, 
stretching far across the stage, is broken by a marble 
stairway leading to a restless sea, further distanced 
to the view through a natural gateway formed by 
two lofty headlands, topped and filmed with cloudy 
wrack. Another stairway gives into the stage 
proper, and at its left, a purpled canopied throne of 
opal is backed by an entrance into the palace. At 
the right, tower huge, rough shafts of red marble 
and in their depths, obliquely set, is hewn a mighty 
cavern, protected by a door, brass-studded. This is 
the stable of The Red Mammoth of Atlantis. Blue- 
black cypress trees and giant ferns soften the back- 
ground, to the left and right. The carved figures of 
two, hairy mammoths, with trunks up-reared, are 



8 CO-O-ZA 

pedestaled on pillars, guarding the entrance to the 
sea. The Man, as Co-o-za, leading The Girl, as 
Badu-lee-ae, enters over the terrace, followed by war- 
riors and slaves — these latter burdened with spoil 
and trophies. The processional is greeted by sol- 
diers, priests, nobles and people. A golden, new-born 
sunshine shows the time as early morn.) 

ALL 

Hail, Co-o-za ! King- of Atlantis ! 

Hail! 

He has triumphed over Zendea ! 

Praise to the Conqueror ! 

Praise to Co-o-za, Lord of Atlantis ! 

His is the glory, forever and ever ! 

Hail, Co-o-za, King of Atlantis ! 

Hail! Hail! Hail! 

{During the processional Co-o-za mounts the 
throne. His bold outlines, tawny-golden in hue, are 
plentifully displayed through a war harness of plati- 
num and jade. Upon his head is a helmeted crown, 
artistically fashioned from the paw of a sabre- 
toothed tiger. In its center gleams a star. Badu- 
lee-ae, head averted, stands beneath him and aside. 
Unlike the other women she is closely swathed in a 
shimmering, silver-white tunic, reaching to her feet. 
Beneath its folds her diminutive, but majestic, form, 
is clearly seen. Upon her flowing, golden hair is 
pressed a laurel wreath of green. As though in a 
dream she remains, motionless, throughout the fol- 
lowing scene.) 



CO-O-ZA 9 

Q DARRA 

(An impetuous youth, but a brave soldier.) Wel- 
come, Co-o-za ! (He salutes Badu-lee-ae.) All Atlan- 
tis greets thee, noble Queen of Zend ! 

ALL, 

Hail! Badu-lee-ae! 

co-o-za 

Q Darra, it would seem that thou art growing too 
presumptuous for a noble of my realm. What rumor 
says of thee, and thy proud comrades there, whis- 
pers like grave treason. (To the people) And, 
furthermore, Atlantis' triumph made a slave of Zend. 

(He indicates Badu-lee-ae) I tell ye all this is my 
captive prize. The victory was mine ! She must 
forget she once was queen! (The people murmur 
discontentedly.) 

0. DARRA 
The future of Atlantis hinges on her fate. 

PEOPLE 

Aye ! Aye ! 

Q DARRA 

She is the noblest woman in the land and royally 
would grace thy throne. 

ALL 

Hail ! Badu-lee-ae ! 



10 CO-O-ZA 

CO-O-ZA 

Silence! (to Q Darra) Is this the secret of thy 
politics of late? (to all) Am I not all-sufficient for 
Atlantis' throne? Think ye it is too broad for me 
alone? I conquer as I rule, apart. What started 
this mad insurrection? 



PRIESTS 

Ask thy High Priest, Po ! 

NOBLES 

Aye, O King, ask Po ! 

ALL 

The Adept, Po ! (There is a momentary mob- 
swaying commotion. Suddenly, Po is discovered 
standing quietly near the left, second entrance, as he 
was last seen in the Prologue.) 



THE WOMEN 

(Reverently) Po ! (To Co-o-za) Who sung thy 
lullabies, O King? 

THE SOLDIERS 

(To Co-o-za) Who will rule us when thy time is 
run? (Co-o-za rises haughtily and sweeps the 
assemblage with a bitter, sarcastic smile. He gazes 
fixedly at Po.) 



CO-O-ZA 11 

CO-O-ZA 

It seems this fickle shouting in my praise hath 
reservations, High Priest Po. It seems my word, 
once law, hath wilted whilst I warred abroad. Canst 
thou not leisure me the time to ravel out these strange 
petitions ? 

PO 

'Tis better that we speak alone, O king. But wait. 
There still is one more pawn who first must speak. 
(Lo-al-yah enters. She steps up from the stair- 
way to the sea and her sweeping midnight hair, inter- 
twined with water flowers, clothes her in a swaying, 
leopard grace. Emphasizing her rich, golden skin is 
a flame-red scarf bound around her hips. As the 
mistress of Co-o-za her slender ankles are imprisoned 
with delicate chains of platinum, jade-studded. Ac- 
companied by her dancing girls she approaches the 
throne with rebellious assurance, her eyes fixed on 
Badu-lee-ae. Then her glance passes meaningly to 
Co-o-za.) 

LO-AL-YAH 

Love divine, 

Thy hour is come. 

Breast to breast my passion soothe. 

Throbbing heart 

Beware thy urge, 

For well we know thy frenzy, fine. 

(The Dancing Girls advance in pantomimic 
rhythm. Their breasts are firmly covered with each 
a broad, brass disk and these they lightly clash 



12 CO-O-ZA 

against their vis-a-vis, revolving slowly in grouped 
pairs with arms outstretched and moving in a smoul- 
dering, fierce sway. Their mood becomes suddenly 
tender and they salute one another with a frankly 
sensuous appeal. They kneel before Co-o-za but his 
interest is indifferent. Lo-al-yah raises both her 
arms and loosens, slightly, her filmy, unshielding robe. 
Still Co-o-za gives no sign of pleasure at the dance. 
The dancers press their brazen breasts and sway in 
rhythm more pronounced. In passionate, inviting 
lure Lo-al-yah reaches out her arms. Co-o-za turns 
his head. She stamps her foot and, at this sign, her 
women spring in whirlwind dance, then drop, dead- 
like, as though completely overcome. Lo-al-yah 
turns to Badu-lee-ae.) 

LO-AL-YAH 

Who art thou now, lost Queen of Zend ! Hast come, 
perchance, to view our royal Red Mammoth? (To 
Co-o-za) His ponderous, hairy feet, are very restless, 
fair Co-o-za. (In his cave the Mammoth is heard 
tramping heavily.) 

co-o-za 

He hears thy voice, the giant beast. Is he securely 
caged ? 

LO-AL-YAH 

With all his strength he cannot bend the bars. 
The lock is safe, and yet a child could move its bolt — 
did he but know the trick. 

CO-O-ZA 

Then leave us. I would counsel with Priest Po. 



CO-O-ZA 13 

LO-AL-YAH 

Priest Po, I love thee not! {Turning to Badu- 
lee-ae) Hail! Twilight maid of Zend! {With her 
dancing girls she departs. Through various exits 
the others make their way. Two sentinels, who would 
remain, are impatiently dismissed by the king. 
Co-o-za, Po and Badu-lee-ae are left alone.) 

PO 

{To Badu-lee-ae) Art thou not weary? 

BADU-LEE-AE 

No. No — I was but thinking. {Turning imperi- 
ally to Co-o-za) I thought thou hadst a subtler pride 
than thus to bring our love to public shame ! Hadst 
thou not told me I would share thy throne, I knew 
the way to die, for I am proud as thee, false king! 
Dost dream, perchance, that I would humbly share 
thy smiles with her who mocked me now? Better, far, 
to lie beneath j r on mammoth's grinding feet than have 
thee call me, "Captive"— "Slave" ! 

CO-O-ZA 

Thou art mad ! 

BADU-LEE-AE 

{Drawing herself up proudly) I fear not death. 
I fear thy love, Co-o-za. 

po 

Thou, thyself, art mad, O king. Thou canst not 
make a mistress of a queen. Thy very guards would 
start a revolution. 



14 CO-O-ZA 

BADU-LEE-AE 

My word to thee is a warning of death. Far in the 
future I seem to see our love shattered. All, my lord, 
take heed ere ambition doth part us forever. Ah, if 
my love could but guide thee, Co-o-za ! 

CO-O-ZA 

Canst thou forget that silent watch — our galley, 
ocean-bosomed 'neath the eager stars and floating 
moon, — when we alone, save sentinels asleep, did 
speak of love and not of thrones? Almost our hearts 
did brush — the opal-purpled night was quite enough. 
Didst thou not say: "I am Co-o-za's slave?" 

BADU-LEE-AE 

{Tragically) Co-o-za's slave? Was that, thy 
love ? 

CO-O-ZA 

I took thee at thy word. 

PO 

{Sternly) Almost thou hast no choice nor throne 
at all, proud king. This hour is thick with fate. 
Pledge thy power with Badu-lee, so that the pages 
of this night may not record a karmic stain ! 

CO-O-ZA 

I fear no evil — nor woe. I, too, can scan the 
Future's page. It tells me: "Share the throne with 
none." (To Badu-lee-ae) Importune me not 



CO-O-ZA 15 

again! (He rushes away. Badu-lee-ae starts im- 
pulsively to follow him, then stops, dropping her 
head and hands in despair. Po exits hurriedly after 
Co-o-za. Badu-lee-ae raises her head and stares at 
the entrance of the Mammoth's cave.) 

BADU-LEfi-AE 

(Listlessly) She said a child could move the bolt. 
I would I knew the way. (Lo-al-yah re-enters 
stealthily.) 

LO-AL-YAH 

Then why not die? Why live, O queen, to be the 
cast-off of yon selfish king? Come! I can pick the 
lock. (Badu-lee-ae gazes at her with calm dignity.) 
I've seen the king, the proud Co-o-za, woo fair slaves 
before and, tiring of them soon, return to me. Canst 
thou escape? (Badu-lee-ae gazes dumbly at the cave 
of the Mammoth. Po re-enters and, unobserved, 
watches the two women intently. Lo-al-yah con- 
tinues relentlessly.) Where wilt thou find sure 
peace? Unless content to love Co-o-za for a while — 
if I so choose — 

BADU-LEE-AE 

(Passionately) 'Tis false ! Co-o-za loves me ! Still 
my heart is breaking! Ah, this torture — friendless 
and alone! (Piteously) I am so young to die. Is 
there no other way ? 

LO-AL-YAH 

None, but through this door. (She goes to the 
Mammoth's cave) 'Tis very swift and sure. Come! 



16 CO-O-ZA 

(She busies with the bolt. Po raises his hand and she 
sways suddenly.) My hands are strangely numb — 
have patience. (Q Darra enters, sees the two women 
near the cavern and rushes towards them.) 

Q DARRA 

Lo-al-yah! Sister! What doest thou here? 

LO-AL-YAH 

(Over her shoulder) Co-o-za's captive queen would 
rather die than share his love with me. And I would 
help her die. Why not? (Ironically) I am her 
friend. (To Badu-lee-ae) Come! 

Q DARRA 

Queen Badu-lee, once more I offer thee my life, 
my sword. Let me guide thy stricken heart, my 
Queen, to another realm where freedom reigns. 
Where love shall blossom at thy smile and never die — 
not even in thy dreams. The golden birds will sing: 
"Queen Badu-lee." 

BADU-LEE-AE 

No — no — I love Co-o-za. Let me die, that he 
may know. (Lo-al-yah opens the door to the cave.) 

LO-AL-YAH 

Come ! The way is clear. 

Q DARRA 

Badu-lee-ae! (Lo-al-yah pushes Badu-lee-ae 
against the door of the cave. She strives, desper- 



CO-O-ZA 17 

ately, to hold the door ajar and likewise assist Badu- 
lee-ae who is half -fainting. The Mammoth is heard 
tramping angrily. Badu-lee-ae sees the beast, 
shrieks and swoons. Lo-al-yah frantically tries to 
push her into the cave with her foot. Q Darra throws 
his sister back and in the struggle the door shuts.) 

Q DARRA 

(Angrily) Back! Back! 

LO-AL-YAH 

(Furiously) Let her die! 

Q DARRA 

No! (They struggle. Shouts are heard off stage 
and Q Darra springs to attention as Co-o-za enters 
with his guards. Lo-al-yah stands aside noncha- 
lantly. Po has retired, half-hidden, near the throne. 
Co-o-za rushes across to Badu-lee-ae. He kneels — 
feels her heart — lifts her arm — drops it. He rises 
with a frown and motions to his guards. Two of 
them pick up Badu-lee-ae and carry her off.) 

CO-O-ZA 

(To the guards) Carefully! (He turns to Lo-al- 
yah) Now then ! Speak ! Thou whom once I deigned 
to kiss! (Lo-al-yah returns his glance scornfully. 
He whirls around to Q Darra) Speak! Thou erst- 
while noble of my throne! (Q Darra starts, then 
draws himself up haughtily. Po slowly advances. 
Co-o-za sees him.) 



18 CO-O-ZA 

CO-O-ZA 

High Priest, thou who readeth dreadful pages from 
life's scroll, tell me — be quick! — what happened 
here ? 

PO 

(Quietly) Speak, Lo-al-yah. 

LO-AL-YAH 

(Sullenly) She wished to die. A moment more and 
I had gladly slipped the bolt ! 

CO-O-ZA 

(Savagely) Then thou shalt wed the Mammoth of 
Atlantis! (Q Darra springs forward in horror.) 

Q. DARRA 

Fiend ! 

LO-AL-YAH 

'Twas but my love for thee, Co-o-za ! 

co-o-za 

I love thee no more! (Lo-al-yah looks beseech- 
ingly at Q Darra.) 

Q DARRA 

I'll take her to my province. 

CO-O-ZA 

After she has entered yonder door! (He points 
to the cavern.) 



CO-O-ZA 19 

LO-AL-YAH 

Ah ! Co-o-za ! 

co-o-za 

(Brutally) I said it! {Lo-al-yah sways dizzily 
and Q Darra springs to support her. Confusion off 
stage. People enter. After them the nobles, fol- 
lowers of Q Darra, priests and soldiers.) Back 
Q Darra ! Let her obey — back ! ( The people mur- 
mur. The priests eye one another meaningly. 
Q Darra kisses Lo-al-yah on the forehead. Soldiers 
part them.) 

co-o-za 
See that thou goest far, Q Darra. Return here 
not again! 

Q. DARRA 

(Darkly) That I cannot promise thee, mad king. 

I, and my nobles here, may return in time. (He 
breaks his sword and casts it, significantly, at 
Co-o-za's feet. He gives Lo-al-yah the royal salute.) 
My sister, I go. But thou shalt be avenged! 
(Co-o-za disdains the menace. Q Darra exits, fol- 
lowed by his nobles.) 

LO-AL-YAH 

I loved thee, Co-o-za. 

CO-O-ZA 

Go! 



20 CO-O-ZA 

LO-AL-YAH 

( With dignity) I go, thy dread command to obey. 
And when I slip into the cold Unknown I'll ne'er 
return again. Let others garland thee with flowers, 
O King ! E'en as thy glance urged me to love so now 
thy frown is quite enough. But one thing even thou 
canst not retain. It is my all — my love. Farewell ! 
(Slowly she approaches the cave of The Red Mam- 
moth. As the people turn their faces she slips the 
bolt and proudly enters in. There is a moment's 
silence. Then a heavy, tramping footfall. Curtain.) 

(End of Act One) 



CO-O-ZA 21 



ACT TWO 



(The scene is the same as Act One, but lighted by 
the moon. Its full, round face is rising just beyond 
the distant headlands and at first just lightly touches 
the terrace and the throne. In silhouette, two senti- 
nels, beneath the sculptured mammoths, are guard- 
ing the stairway to the sea. Badu-lee-ae is faintly 
discovered in the shadow of the throne. The song of 
the whippoorwill is heard as the curtain swiftly 
ascends.) 



(Hidden) 



CHORUS OF ASTRALS 

All — ee — yah ! 
O — ah — o — ee — ay ! 
Co — ah — du — ee — zah ! 
Lo — al — co — lee — ay ! 



FIRST SENTINEL 

(Gruffly) Comrade, the sea is rising. 

SECOND SENTINEL 

Aye, and not a trace of storm — 'tis strange. 

FIRST SENTINEL 

Much is strange since Lo-al-yah's death. I like 
it not — this night watch o'er a captive queen. 

SECOND SENTINEL 

Nor I. 



22 CO-O-ZA 

FIRST SENTINEL 

Didst thou observe that one of yonder steps, 
descending to the sea, is sunken out of sight? 

SECOND SENTINEL 

Aye. Why speak of it? 

FIRST SENTINEL 

If I had quaffed a cup too much I'd swear this 
terrace swayed anon. Didst notice it? 

VOICE 

(Off stage) Lo-al-vah. 

SECOND SENTINEL 

What's that? 

FIRST SENTINEL 

Q Darra, exiled noble. He comes here, secretly 
o' nights, to mourn his sister's fate. 

SECOND SENTINEL 

Is that a shadow — there? 



FIRST SENTINEL 

No. 

SECOND SENTINEL 

What is it? 



CO-O-ZA 23 

FIRST SENTINEL 

(Impatiently) I'm not a priest. 

SECOND SENTINEL 

(Leaning over the parapet) The tide is higher 
than it ever was before, or else — 

FIRST SENTINEL 

What? 

SECOND SENTINEL 

Or else this terrace has sunk down. Think ye — 

FIRST SENTINEL 

Silence ! 

SECOND SENTINEL 

What is it — comrade? 

FIRST SENTINEL 

What was that? 

SECOND SENTINEL 

I felt a cold wind. 

FIRST SENTINEL 

From the shore? 

SECOND SENTINEL 

Nay — from the Mammoth's cave. 

FIRST SENTINEL 

Look. The water whirlpools in a monstrous circle. 
Strange ! 



24 CO-O-ZA 

SECOND SENTINEL 

(Flings down his spear) I am a free man and a bold 
but never was I born to drown ! 

FIRST SENTINEL 

(Nervously) Shadows need no guards. Hast thou 
a quaff o' wine? 

SECOND SENTINEL 

Aye — up on yonder cliff. Let Co-o-za guard his 
Badu-lee-ae and his ghosts ! 

FIRST SENTINEL 

(Flings down his spear) Come! (They desert. 
The moon bathes the entrance to the palace and lin- 
gers over Badu-lee-ae. Two stars are clearly seen 
above the moon.) 

BADU-LEE-AE 

Shadows — shadows ! 

Reaching low. 

Tendrils of silence, 

Weaving wraiths of dreams, unslumbered, still 

restless with brooding fears. 
Ah, Stars ! Teach me to dream once again as in 

days, now flown — when love was all alluring. 
Starlight ! Lift up my soul from these shadows ! 
Alone — Forgotten ! 
Still the night a welcome beckons — breathes a 

solace and a warning — a message of purple 

and tears. 



CO-O-ZA 25 

Ah, Moon ! Teach me to be serene, that love, be- 
trayed, might be enduring. 

Moonlight ! Starlight ! Lift my soul from thy 
shadows ! 

VOICE 

(Off stage) Lo-al-yah! (Badu-lee-ae looks fear- 
fully around, then withdraws into the darkness behind 
the throne. Q Darra enters, followed by four nobles. 
After them cringes Fhef Ilki, a craven priest. His 
robe is sullen red and his hairless pate and face a 
greyish white. The nobles halt as Q Darra advances 
to the entrance of the cave. He kneels for a moment, 
then starts up suddenly.) 

Q DARRA 

I can no longer wait. Co-o-za must this night be 
slain ! 

NOBLES 

Surrounded by his guards ? 

Q DARRA 

Nay — let me think. If we could but send a mes- 
sage that would speed him here, alone — 

FHEF ILKI 

May I be heard, my lord? 

Q DARRA 

Speak. 

FHEF ILKI 

If Co-o-za thought that thou wert here — alone — 



26 CO-O-ZA 

Q DARRA 

Go on 

FHEF ILKI 

— with Badu-lec-ae — 

Q DARRA 

Foul Priest! (He drags at his sword and Fhef 
Ilki cringes. The Nobles restrain Q Darra.) 

FIRST NOBLE 

(Sternly) Priest, link not thy plots in any way 
against our virtuous queen. 

SECOND NOBLE 

Beware a counsel that would sully her fair name. 

Q_ DARRA 

Kill the serpent ! Why I do humbly love the queen ! 

FIRST NOBLE 

So does all Atlantis, and that very fact has made 
Co-o-za fear her power. 

FHEF ILKI 

The priesthood hates Co-o-za ! In that principle 
we all agree. I, too, say he must die ! Overthrow the 
king and place thy Badu-lee-ae on his throne — do 
what ye will — so long thy action spells his certain 
doom. (Fawningly to Q Darra.) I would not dis- 
repute the queen — but, send the message. 



CO-O-ZA 27 

NOBLES 

He would say 'tis false ! 

FHEF ILKI 

Not he ! A slave might give ye that reply, but 
not a king. And, king or serf, a man fights for his 
honor best, alone. 

SECOND NOBLE 

The priests are hungry for Co-o-za's death? 

FHEF ILKI 

Hungry ? 

Accursed monarch who believes we are but fools ! 

Who tells us that our Gods are silly toys ! 

We, who guard the mysteries of the Deep since man 

began ! 
Accursed King who laughs and calls us fools ! 
He, and his wonderful High Priest, whom all our 

magic cannot slay ! 
We'll bury him beneath the rough sands of the sea ! 
We priests are sending Po a message, long foretold. 
'Twill make him pale and shudder with affright. 
Thou Bell ! — toll once ! 
Ye Mystic Bell of Death ! 
Toll once ! Toll on ! 
Toll on ! 

(Fhef Ilki reaches both hands in incantation to the 
moon. He moves his arms as though pulling a rope. 
A deep bell tolls solemnly — Twice! The priest drops 
to the stage.) 



28 CO-O-ZA 

Q DARRA 

{Hurriedly) The madman is right. I'll lure 
Co-o-za here, alone. We'll cast him, as agreed, be- 
neath the Mammoth's feet ! Meet me in an hour, 
again! (Q Darra and the nobles exit. Fhef Ilki 
raises himself with difficulty.) 

FHEF ILKI 

(Apprehensively) The Bell — tolled twice — two 
lives— ^will pass — this night ! (He staggers off. Badu- 
lee-ae emerges from the shadows and sweeps after 
him in great agitation. She pauses, then returns as 
though to enter the palace. As she is about to dis- 
appear, Po is discovered, surrounded by a curious, 
pale glow. He is standing in the entrance to the 
palace. He intercepts the queen.) 

po 
Where wouldst thou, Badu-lee? 

BADU-LEE-AE 

Let me pass ! 

PO 

A moment, Queen of Zend. 

BADU-LEE-AE 

I go to warn Co-o-za ! 

po 
Still, I bid thee stay. 



CO-O-ZA 29 

BADU-LEE-AE 

But danger waits him ! — Q Darra plots to lure him 
here beneath the Mammoth's foot ! 

PO 

Nay — warn him not. Let him meet thee here. 

BADU-LEE-AE 

Ye would let Co-o-za die? 

PO 

Aye, and thee, also. 

BADU-LEE-AE 

(Startled) Die? (Faintly) I am to — die? 

PO 

(Softly) Have courage, child. 

BADU-LEE-AE 

This, then, the end of all? Co-o-za slain? Our 
love a myth? Alone — afar from home — death? 

PO 

(Still softly) No, thy love will live again. 

BADU-LEE-AE 

(Brokenly) I fear I am a woman after all. Ah, 
sadly human, seeking for her mate. (Excitedly) 
Stay me not! I must save Co-o-za! (She starts to 
exit. Po raises his hand.) 



30 CO-O-ZA 

PO 

Tli y death alone will save him now. 

BADU-LEE-AE 

(Shaking her head slowly) Thou knowest I would 
die for him. Priest Po, I've seen too much in my 
brief exile here, not to feel sure thou dost, indeed, 
know all. ( Wistfully) But let me see him once again 
— before we dream. 

PO 

(Tenderly) Why, silly child, there is no spectre 
here. Thine eyes are wearied with thy fears. Atlan- 
tis falls this night — I, too, will die — but what is 
death, when measured by the new ! — where thou wilt 
meet, and wed, Co-o-za! This, I know! (As Badu- 
lee-ae, glorified, is about to speak, three Shrouded 
Priests enter and gaze fixedly, at Po.) Whence 
come ye? 

FIRST PRIEST 

From darkness, into light. 

SECOND PRIEST 

Our subterranean temple floor has sunk full seven 
spans. 

THIRD PRIEST 

Upon the erstwhile dusty altar's feet I found this 
washed-in spray of slimy seaweed ! 



CO-O-ZA 31 



PO 



(Musingly) This is the sign, long since foretold, 
that land and sea will swiftly change their place. 



BADU-LEE-AE 

(Breathlessly) Atlantis falls? 

PO 

Aye, even as I told thee. (Sternly, to the priests) 
Ye have but little time to spare. Return — the Bell 
will shortly toll again. (The three priests exit.) 

BADU-LEE-AE 

(Confidently) Still, we will live again? 



PO 

( With vision) — And meet and love, as human as ye 
stand here now. Unseen, I will be there and try to 
make ye both remember what this night has brought 
to pass. And if, in that next tryst of thine, I can 
but reach Co-o-za's soul — if, but an instant, he will 
strive to speak thy name — I tell thee, Queen, all will 
be well ! 

BADU-LEE-AE 

Nay, Priest Po, I do not fear. My heart tells me 
thy words are true. I'll greet my royal lover once 
again, as Badu-lee-ae, Queen of Zend. Farewell ! 



32 CO-O-ZA 

po 
( With great emotion) Peace be with thee ! As now 
the sea sends his damp, weedy messenger of fate, to 
herald the quick onrush of his mighty billows ; so, 
after all is passed and gone, a simple dove will find a 
new-born olive leaf with which to tell the world that 
life is come again ! (He kisses her brow in tender bene- 
diction and passes on. A tense moment follows, broken 
by the faint call of the whip-poor-will. Co-o-za 
is heard approaching. He enters, fully attired for 
battle. He crosses in front of Badu-lee-ae — halts 
suddenly. ) 

CO-O-ZA 

(Harshly) Retire, Queen of Zend. Q Darra has 
confessed he loves thee. I await him here ! 

BADU-LEE-AE 

So blind, my lord? 'Tis but a plot to draw thee 
from thy guards. Why, ever since we met I have been 
beneath thy lock and key — just thirteen days ago. 

co-o-za 
(Sullenly) A plot? 

BADU-LEE-AE 

Co-o-za, we face death! (He starts, then draws 
himself up proudly.) This fleeting moment in the 
night will be our last, as king and queen. Atlantis 
falls! 



CO-O-ZA 33 

CO-O-ZA 

Not while Co-o-za stands ! 

BADU-LEE-AE 

Cannot I make thee understand? Dear lord, the 
very caverns underneath our feet will shortly be a 
torrent sea. 

co-o-za 

Then why dost thou wait here? 

BADU-LEE-AE 

For thee I wait — as hushed and happy as a new- 
born dawn that trembles with love voices, soon to 
awake. 

co-o-za 

Then let those voices speak. 

BADU-LEE-AE 

Thou dost not fear to die? 

CO-O-ZA 

Not with thy hand in mine. 

BADU-LEE-AE 

(Very softly) Thou dost believe me — true? 

co-o-za 

(Tensely) As life itself! 



34 CO-O-ZA 

BADU-LEE-AE 

{In lovely confusion, but with great dignity) Then 
— knowing all — at last I do not fear to give myself 
to thee! 

co-o-za 

{Springing to her) My Mate! {They embrace.) 

BADU-LEE-AE 

Thou dost not fear to follow me? 

co-o-za 

Nay — through the very gates of death ! 

BADU-LEE-AE 

Then — my love — my King — I am thy fate. This 
shimmering coverlet of night is but a panoply of 
dreams. {She removes his helmet, cuirass, and un- 
girdles his sword. She throws a portion of her flow- 
ing, filmy draperies over him, and, with it, the tresses 
of her hair.) 

CO-O-ZA 

Floating bosoms of the sea — 
Brushing brow to beating breast — 
Sailing Soul beneath the stars ! 
Dear, 'til death, to me. 

BADU-LEE-AE 

Fear not, Co-o-za. 

Love can never die, our ceaseless souls 
May sometimes dream — then meet again — 
Fear not ! 



CO-O-ZA 35 

CO-O-ZA 

Forgot is fate. 

With this, thy pledge of matchless love, 
An earthly throne is dross to me. 
All the jewels in a worldly crown 
Pale in the glory of thy golden hair. 

Caressing shadows, whispering love, 
Melting the moonlight in thy glow, 
Lo, they linger, just to kiss 
Thine uplifted beauty, Badu-lee ! 

BADU-LEE-AE 

Tell me once more, and gaze into my eyes — 
That thou art mine — forever mine ! 

CO-O-ZA 

Help me to recall, when through the gates of death 

we meet, 
That thou art mine — forever mine ! 

BADU-LEE-AE 

Fear not, dear lord, for when we meet, 
My heart will surely know — 
And speak thy name! 
My heart will know! 

BOTH 

(With great ecstasy) My heart will know! {They 
sink, exalted, upon the throne, royally — madly — in 
each other's embrace. Q Darra rushes over the ter- 



36 CO-O-ZA 

race and onto the stage. With him are his four 
Nobles. Behind them, in safety upon the full-lit ter- 
race, lurks Fhef Ilki, bearing in one hand a long 
dagger.) 

NOBLES 

Tyrant! Death to Co-o-za! (Co-o-za springs 
from the throne, in front of Badu-lee-ae, and, dis- 
daining to recover his sword, folds his arms over his 
unprotected breast and gazes haughtily at Q Darra. 
The Nobles draw back three paces.) 

Q DARRA 

(Drawing his sword) Thy time is come, O King! 
Under the paw of the Red Mammoth of Atlantis thou 
wilt shortly lie. We come to escort thee thence! 

co-o-za 

(Without moving) Badu-lee-ae, thou didst ungirdle 
me my sword ! 

BADTT-LEE-AE 

I will be thy breast and shield. Remember! 
"Through the very gates of death" ! 

Q DARRA 

Seize him ! ( With the Nobles, he springs at 
Co-o-za. Badu-lee-ae throws herself upon Co-o-za's 
breast. Q Darra's descending sword strikes her and 
she falls! At that moment a terrific thunderbolt is 
heard and all is sudden darkness. A vivid flash of 
lightning whitens the scene. Only the form of Badu- 



CO-O-ZA 37 

lee-ae is lying prostrate on the foot of the throne. 
Co-o-za, Q Darra and the Nobles have vanished. 
Again a thunderbolt and darkness. Again a vivid 
flash. This time the distant headlands are seen 
slowly sinking beneath the storm-hurled ocean. Fhef 
Ilki on the terrace sees this and shrieks. The Two 
Sentinels appear, seize the mad priest's dagger and 
with it slay him furiously. The terrace sinks beneath 
them. Again darkness — again half light. A bell 
tolls twice! The cavern of the Mammoth splits asun- 
der and in the semi-darkness the gigantic brute wal- 
lows forth — over the remains of the terrace — into 
the plunging, rising sea. His huge body catches the 
swaying pillars of the palace and tramples them into 
the billows. The moon is fiery red. Atlantis falls!) 

PO 

( Unseen) Roll on, Akashic records of the Past ! 
Give me this man's lost thought that I may lead him 
to recall the wrong he did to this same love, twelve 
thousand years ago ! 

(Scene changes to — ) 



38 CO-O-ZA 



THE EPILOGUE 

(As Po finishes his foregoing recitative, the stage 
lights up slowly, revealing the same scene as in the 
Prologue. Po is discovered standing as he did then. 
The Man and The Girl are in the identical positions 
as before; The Man sitting at the piano, The Girl 
still kneeling at his feet. Her eyes are closed.) 



THE MAN 

(Gazing at The Girl in a troubled manner) Can 
you not speak, little girl? 

PO 

(Softly) Canst thou not speak her name? 



THE MAN 

(Still regarding her earnestly, places his hand on 
her brow with great tenderness.) Can you not speak 
— Badu— ? 

PO 

(Softly) Think! OKing! 



THE MAN 

(To The Girl) Tell me, have we ever — met — 
before? 



CO-O-ZA 39 

PO 

(Quickly) Speak to him, Badu-lee-ae! 

THE GIRL 

(Opening her eyes) Co-o-za! (Po disappears. 
The Man draws The Girl closer into his arms. They 
kiss solemnly. As the curtain descends slowly they 
remain in rapt embrace, smiling into each other's 
eyes.) 

(End of the Opeea) 



